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Friday, July 30, 2010

What Makes a Good Pattern?

I have been thinking a lot about my patterns lately. I want them to be the best they can possibly be, and work very hard to make them so. I worked for two years as a technical editor for Annie's Attic, where I learned the basics of pattern writing. But since I have been self-publishing, I have not followed the style I was taught exactly, but changed and added whatever I felt was needed to make the patterns better and easier to understand. Using testers has given me new insight into what crocheters like and want in a pattern. More stitch counts at the ends of the rows/rnds is one thing they suggested, and so I have added more of them to my patterns.
I also add pictures whenever it is a little tricky to explain just exactly what I am trying to get across. This is something I learned from the old Elizabeth Hiddleson patterns, which can be a challenge to follow, but her clear pictures always help show just what she wants you to do. And I write notes of explanation whenever I feel they are needed.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas that might make my patterns better? I am always willing to try new things to make them easier to follow, and I love getting feedback. Thanks for any suggestions!

5 comments:

The stitch counts make such a difference as a crocheter when I move from designer to designer. While I may "think" I have understood the intentions of the directions, a quick count at the end of a row or round, quickly lets me know if I am correct in my performance.

I have also learned a great deal from visual cues people leave in their directions. I find people can use the same language and mean very different things with different outcomes. A demonstration leaves the crocheter with a clear example to follow.

I've mentioned this before, but for me, a symbol chart/diagramme is very useful to get a clear image of the finished project, especially if it's a doily. No matter how much a person explains in words, some things are hard to describe without an image. And, yes, a close-up of the finished project is always very helful. One thing, though: TOO much explanation, or words, can sometimes confuse us, even the experienced once!HTH! your designs are lovely, keep up the good work!

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I would love to hear from you!You can write to me at:bellacrochet.info (at) yahoo.comPlease note that I do not email copies of my patterns, and that I feature both my paid and free patterns here on the blog (not every design you see pictured on the blog is free!)

Also, I cannot mail out printed copies of my free patterns. I do not have any other versions of my free patterns available; no PDF's, no translations into other languages, no symbol diagrams, no additional photos and no videos are available. All my free patterns have been tested for accuracy and clarity, and I can offer no additional information or help on any of them. You can find all of my paid patterns in my Etsy shop:https://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaCrochet

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Please do not copy, share, sell or redistribute anything posted on this blog. I do not give anyone permission to make videos or tutorials of any of my patterns (paid or free) for YouTube, personal blogs or any other site. Thank you!

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About Me

I love crochet, and although crochet has been my career and means of support for most of my life, I would crochet every day even if I never made a dime off of it!

But, I have been a professional crochet designer for almost 30 years. I worked as a technical editor for Annie's Attic for two years, and was the in-house designer for Annie's Attic and the NeedleCraft Shop for several years. In 2008, I left DRG Publishing where I was the crochet pattern book coordinator. I am now self-publishing my original designs through my company, BellaCrochet. You can see all my designs in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/bellacrochetI love creating vintage- look thread designs- I am a doily and potholder girl! I am the proud mother of 3 daughters and 3 sons, and the grandmother of 16 sweet and wonderful grandchildren. I live on a farm in rural east Texas, with my darlin' man, David.